Personal Research Database

Abstract: Experiments were carried out to gain more information on the effects of long term exposure to low doses of vanadium administered to mice and rats in drinking water. The selective immunotoxic effects of vanadium were depression of phagocytosis, splenotoxicity, enlargement of spleen, elevation of peripheral blood leucocytes and T and B cell activation. Vanadium accumulates in hard tissues and influences the mineralisation of epiphyseal cartilage. This effect is obviously evident in young animals. Significant differences in vanadium concentration were found between young and adult animals.

Luttik, R., Romijn, C.A. and Canton, J.H. (1993), Presentation of a general algorithm to include secondary poisoning in effect assessment. Science of the Total Environment, Pt 2, 1491-500, Suppl.

Abstract: A general algorithm for effect assessment on secondary poisoning for birds and mammals is presented. This algorithm (Maximum Permissible Concentration = NOECbird/mammal/BCF) was drawn up by analysing an aquatic food chain (water--fish--bird or mammal) and a terrestrial food chain (soil--worm--bird or mammal). NOECs and bioconcentration factors (BCFs) were collected for a set of selected compounds: lindane, dieldrin, cadmium and mercury in both water and soil, PCB153 only in water and DDT and PCP only in soil. BCFs for the terrestrial pathway are frequently < 1 and rarely above 10, though for the aquatic pathway BCFs up to 10 (4) were found for the same compounds. By calculating, M.P., Cs for fish-eaters and comparing these to, M.P., Cs calculated for aquatic organisms, secondary poisoning could be a critical pathway for methyl-mercury and PCB153. For lindane the conclusion depends on whether a separate or combined data set is chosen for birds and mammals. By calculating, M.P., Cs for a standard soil situation and comparing these to, M.P., Cs for terrestrial organisms, secondary poisoning could be a critical pathway for cadmium and methyl-mercury.

Ogunsola, O.J., Oluwole, A.F., Asubiojo, O.I., Olaniyi, H.B., Akeredolu, F.A., Akanle, O.A., Spyrou, N.M., Ward, N.I. and Ruck, W. (1994), Traffic pollution: Preliminary elemental characterisation of roadside dust in Lagos, Nigeria. Science of the Total Environment, 146-147, 175-184.

Full Text: S\Sci Tot Env146-147, 175.pdf

Abstract: Roadside dust collected from different parts of Lagos metropolis were analysed for heavy metals and other trace elements using a combination of instrumental neutron activation analysis (INAA), inductively coupled plasma-optical emission spectrometry (ICP-OES), and flame atomic absorption spectrometry (FAAS). The results show a positive correlation of the concentration of Pb and some other vehicular emission-related elements with the traffic density. Automotive emission was also found to be the main contributor to Pb concentration in the roadside dust but some elements which hitherto have been linked with automotive emission, such as cadmium and nickel, did not show any strong correlation with traffic density.

Keywords: Automotive Emissions, Lead, Toxic Heavy Metals, Roadside Dust

Iwami, O., Watanabe, T., Moon, C.S., Nakatsuka, H. and Ikeda, M. (1994), Motor neuron disease on the Kii Peninsula of Japan: Excess manganese intake from food coupled with low magnesium in drinking water as a risk factor. Science of the Total Environment, 149 (1-2), 121-135.

Full Text: S\Sci Tot Env149, 121.pdf

Abstract: To identify important risk factors of motor neuron disease (MND) in a focus (Hohara) on the Kii peninsula of Japan, 24-h dietary duplicates, rice, drinking water, and soils were analysed for metals in Hohara and control areas. The manganese content in 24-h food in Hohara was significantly (P < 0.01) higher than that in the remote control areas. The incidence of MND in Hohara was well explained by the two parameters, manganese content in food and the magnesium concentration in drinking water (r² = 0.99), suggesting that MND in this focus can be understood as a result of excess intake of manganese from food coupled with low intake of magnesium from drinking water. The reference to epidemiology and occupational medicine supports this conclusion. The crude annual MND incidence per 10⁵ population in other foci may be predicted as MND = e^ln[(Mn in food)^/(Mg in water)], where  is 5.389-5.748,  is 0.170-0.166, and  is 1.239-1.226.

Malliou, E., Loizidou, M. and Spyrellis, N. (1994), Uptake of lead and cadmium by clinoptilolite. Science of the Total Environment, 149 (3), 139-144.

Full Text: S\Sci Tot Env149, 139.pdf

Abstract: The ion exchange systems of lead and cadmium, using the zeolite cinlinoptilolite, were examined. The metal uptake is increased with increasing temperature. At low temperatures the exchange of lead is mainly with the sodium ions but at higher temperatures potassium present in the zeolite lattice can be replaced, increasing the metal uptake. In the case of cadmium, the exchange occurs only with sodium ions, irrespective of the temperature of the solution. The zeolite particle size influences significantly the metal uptake. An increase is observed with decreasing particLe size. From the experimental results the diffusion coefficients and activation energies of the ion exchange systems are calculated.

Keywords: Metal Removal, Metal Uptake, Ion Exchange, Zeolites, Lead, Cadmium, Natural Zeolites, Exchange

Lauwerys, R. and Lison, D. (1994), Health risks associated with cobalt exposure: An overview. Science of the Total Environment, 150 (1-3), 1-6.

Full Text: S\Sci Tot Env150, 1.pdf

Abstract: Cobalt is an essential oligoelement which enters in the composition of vitamin B12. For the general population, food and beverages represent the main source of cobalt exposure. Traces of cobalt are also present in cement and various household products. In industry, the potential for exposure to cobalt is particularly important during the production of cobalt powder, the production, processing and use of hard metals, the polishing of diamonds with cobalt containing disks and the processing of cobalt alloys. Except in the production of cobalt powders, these activities involve exposure not only to cobalt but also to other substances such as tungsten carbide, iron and diamond which may modulate the biological reactivity of cobalt. Cobalt salts are used for the preparation of enamels and pigments. Cobalt is mainly absorbed from the pulmonary and the gastrointestinal tracts. Absorption through the skin can occur but is low. Concomitant exposure to tungsten carbide increases the pulmonary absorption rate of cobalt metal. Cobalt is not a cumulative toxin and is mainly excreted in urine and to a lesser extent via faeces. Cobalt in blood and urine mainly reflects recent exposure. In the past, outbreaks of cardiomyopathy occurred among heavy consumers of cobalt fortified beer. It is likely that poor nutrition and ethanol had played a synergistic role. Toxic manifestations, however, have mainly been reported following inhalation of cobalt containing dusts in industry. The two main target organs are the skin and the respiratory tract. Cobalt itself may cause allergic dermatitis, rhinitis and asthma. Specific IgE against a complex of cobalt with albumin can sometimes be shown and a bronchial provocation test with a cobalt salt may be positive. Inhalation of cobalt containing dust has also lead to pathologic reactions in the lung parenchyma. The lesions, called ‘hard metal disease’, have ranged from intense alveolitis resembling desquamative or giant-cell interstitial pneumonitis to end-stage pulmonary fibrosis. Epidemiological and experimental data suggest that parenchymal lesions are rarely if ever induced by pure cobalt dust alone, but require the concomitant exposure to other compounds such as tungsten carbide. At the present time, there is inadequate evidence to indicate whether cobalt alone can increase the risk of lung cancer in workers. Concomitant exposure to cobalt and other substances such as in hard metal industry might increase the risk of lung cancer, but this requires confirmation.

Keywords: Cobalt, Tungsten Carbide, Interaction, Hard Metals, Lung Skin, Hard Metal, Respiratory-Diseases, Industrial-Exposure, Lung, Workers, Mortality, Question, Enigma, Oxides, Rat

Christensen, J.M. and Poulsen, O.M. (1994), A 1982-1992 surveillance program on danish pottery painters. Biological levels and health effects folloowing exposure to soluble or insoluble cobalt compounds in cobalt blue dyes. Science of the Total Environment, 150 (1-3), 95-104.

Full Text: S\Sci Tot Env150, 95.pdf

Abstract: This paper provides a short overview of cobalt-related diseases with particular reference to the potential carcinogenicity of cobalt compounds, and a review of a 10-year surveillance programme on plate painters exposed to cobalt in two Danish porcelain factories. Clinical experience and epidemiological studies have demonstrated that cobalt exposure may lead to severely impaired lung function, i.e. hard metal lung disease and occupational cobalt-related asthma, contact dermatitis and cardiovascular effects. However, the evidence for the carcinogenicity of cobalt and cobalt compounds is considered inadequate (IARC, 1991). Most frequently, exposure to cobalt occurs simultaneously with exposure to other elements known to pose a health risk, (e.g. nickel, arsenic, chromium, tungsten). The importance of cobalt as sole causal agent in hard metal long diseases, cardiomyopathy and cancer are still a matter of controversy. In the two Danish porcelain factories, cobalt blue underglaze dyes have been used since 1888. In contrast to the exposure experience of hard metal factories, the exposure of plate painters occurs with only low trace levels of other potentially harmful compounds such as the carcinogenic metals nickel, arsenic and chromium. Consequently, the nearly-pure cobalt exposure makes the plate painters an attractive group for studies on the health effects of cobalt. During the period 1982-1992 the surveillance programme showed a profound reduction in the urine level of cobalt (Co-U) from 100-fold to 1-fold above the median level of the unexposed control subjects. In the same period, the airborne cobalt exposure declined from 1356 nmol/m³ to 454 nmol/m³, the Danish occupational exposure limit being 845 nmol/m3. In 1982, when the cobalt exposure was above the occupational exposure limit, the plate painters showed a chronic impaired lung function. The obstructive effects may bc similar to some of the effects observed in hard metal workers. In 1988, a study on the effect of cobalt exposure at low levels revealed no inhibitory effects on thyroid function, but the ratio between T₄ and T₃ increased, indicating that low cobalt exposure may have an impact on the metabolism of thyroid hormones. Parallel studies were conducted on the metabolism and excretion of cobalt. The gastrointestinal uptake of soluble CoCl was considerably higher than the uptake of insoluble cobalt(II) oxide. In addition, it was demonstrated that ingestion of controlled amounts of the soluble cobalt compound resulted in significantly higher concentrations of cobalt in urine and blood (Co-B) from females compared with males (P < 0.01). Future studies will involve epidemiology and genotoxicity to evaluate the previous and present cancer risk, and detailed process-related exposure assessment studies to select the methods most reliable for surveillance of low-dose cobalt exposure.

Keywords: Cobalt, Pottery Plate Painters, Biological Monitoring, Health Effects, Occupational Exposure, Plate Painters, Blood

Martineau, D., de Guise, S., Fournier, M., Shugart, L., Girard, C., Lagacé, A. and Béland, P. (1994), Pathology and toxicology of beluga whales from the St. Lawrence Estuary, Quebec, Canada. Past, present and future. Science of the Total Environment, 154 (2-3), 201-215.

Full Text: S\Sci Tot Env154, 201.pdf

Abstract: An indigenous population of 450-500 beluga whales (Delphinapterus leucas) inhabiting the St. Lawrence Estuary has been exposed chronically for more than 50 years to a complex mixture of industrial pollutants including organochlorinated compounds (OC), polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) and heavy metals. From 1983 to 1990, we have necropsied 45 well preserved carcasses out of a total of 120 beluga whales reported dead over this period. of these 45 animals, nine were affected by 10 malignant neoplasms. Fifteen animals (33%) were affected by pneumonia. Milk production was compromised in eight of 17 mature females (41%), by inflammatory changes (seven animals) and cancer (one animal) which affected the mammary glands. Opportunistic bacteria were found in pure culture, and/or in significant amounts in at least two organs in 20 belugas (44%). The concentrations of both total PCBs and highly chlorinated PCB congeners were much higher in St. Lawrence animals than in Arctic beluga whales. OC-induced immunosuppression has been repeatedly demonstrated in a wide variety of animal species. Therefore, it is probable that the immune functions of St. Lawrence beluga whales are impaired. Benzo[a]pyrene adducts were detected in 10 of the 11 St. Lawrence beluga whales of which tissues (six livers, 10/11 brains) were analyzed by a method based on HPLC. No such adducts were found in four Arctic animals. Since benzo[alpha]pyrene is one of the most potent chemical carcinogens known to man, these compounds might be responsible for some of the cancers observed in that population. Overall, our findings contrast vividly with those of others who found that cancers are exceedingly rare in free-ranging odontocete populations and that the major causes for mortalities in these populations are bacteria, parasites, and trauma.

Keywords: Beluga, Cancer, Cetaceans, Contaminants, DDT, Immunosuppression, Organochlorine, Pathology, PCB, Polycyclic Aromatic, Hydrocarbons, Whales, Halogenated Aromatic-Hydrocarbons, Human Lymphocytes-T, Polychlorinated-Biphenyls, Delphinapterus-Leucas, Mercury Pollution, Covalent Binding, Rhesus-Monkeys, Macaca-Mulatta, Saguenay Fjord, Adrenal-Gland

Buzina, R., Stegnar, P., Buzina-Suboticanec, K., Horvat, M., Petric, I. and Farley, T.M.M. (1995), Dietary mercury intake and human exposure in an Adriatic population. Science of the Total Environment, 170 (3), 199-208.

Full Text: S\Sci Tot Env170, 199.pdf

Abstract: A study was conducted to examine human exposure to mercury through dietary mercury intake in a population living in an industrially non-polluted area of the Adriatic Sea. The results have shown that approximately 20% of the subjects had a weekly dietary mercury intake above the provisional tolerable weekly intake (PTWI), primarily those consuming fish and other seafood > 6 times/week. The estimated seafood consumption corresponding to a mean intake of PTWI of 300 micrograms total mercury was 1559 g, and 1365 g for a PTWI of 200 micrograms methylmercury. However, the total mercury content in hair in individuals consuming total mercury above the PTWI was in the range of 1.3-12.9 micrograms/g, whereas the methylmercury content in hair in subjects consuming methylmercury above the PTWI was between 1.1-10.8 micrograms. Thus, the mercury content in hair did not reach the critical level at which toxic effects of mercury could be expected. The results, particularly those related to methylmercury exposure, did not differ significantly from data reported earlier from an industrially polluted area, thus indicating that the mercury content of fish and consequent human exposure to mercury reflects primarily the general ecological characteristics of the Adriatic, rather than the impact upon a specific local pollution.

Pradhan, A.A. and Levine, A.D. (1995), Microbial biosorption of copper and lead from aqueous systems. Science of the Total Environment, 170 (3), 209-220.

Full Text: S\Sci Tot Env170, 209.pdf

Abstract: Biosorption of metal ions from aqueous systems was evaluated using a culture of acidic soil isolates grown in a completely mixed, aerobic, semi-batch culture reactor. The laboratory scale system was used to test single and bimetallic solutions of copper and lead with sulfates, chlorides, or nitrates. To elucidate the key factors influencing biosorption and to characterize metal uptake by cellular and extra cellular components of the microbial system, a dialysis testing procedure was developed. A direct contact technique was used to determine the rate of metal sorption on cellular surfaces. The effectiveness of biosorption was influenced by pH, initial metal concentrations, and anionic composition. Respirometric tests were carried out to identify potential inhibitory effects of metal accumulation on microbial oxygen uptake rates.

Keywords: Biosorption, Metallic Waste, Actinomycetes, Dialysis, Respirometry

Surbeck, H. (1995), Determination of natural radionuclides in drinking water: A tentative protocol. Science of the Total Environment, 173-174, 91-99.

Full Text: S\Sci Tot Env173-174, 91.pdf

Abstract: Routine analysis of drinking water is in general limited to artificial radionuclides although some naturally occurring radionuclides have radiotoxicities well comparable to those of the worst artificial ones. This unsatisfactory situation is mainly due to problems with traditional radiochemical preparation methods. They are very time consuming and the chemistry involved is too high a hurdle for many laboratories. A simplified protocol for the determination of natural radionuclides in drinking water has been setup and tested. It makes full use of the gamma-spectrometry’s analyzing power and of state-of-the-art liquid scintillation alpha-spectrometry combined with extractive scintillators. It also includes the use of metal-adsorbing thin layers for direct alpha-spectrometry. The protocol does not offer record-low detection limits, but allows for a rapid check that no individual natural radionuclide present in the water will contribute more than 50 microS v to the annual dose.

Bricker, S.B. (1996), Retention of sediment and metals by Narragansett Bay subtidal and marsh environments: An update. Science of the Total Environment, 179 (1-3), 27-46.

Full Text: S\Sci Tot Env179, 27.pdf

Abstract: Unlike many estuaries, Narragansett Bay Rhode Island has a sufficient information base regarding sources and sinks to construct mass balances for sediment, Fe, Mn, Cr, Cu, Ni, Pb, Zn, Ag. Decadal differences in subtidal data for Pb, Cr and Cu allowed comparison of retention between the 1970s and 1980s. The role of salt marshes in mass balances is considered for the first time. Calculations suggest that Narragansett Bay retains virtually all incoming sediment, the greater portion of incoming Fe (87%), Cu (102-119%) and Pb (39%-203%) and about one third the input of Zn and Mn. The results for Cr (> 300% retention) suggest an unaccounted source, while results for Ag and Ni (17% and 12% retention) suggest a loss of these metals from the system. The salt marshes are nearly insignificant to retention with the exception of Fe for which they account for one third of total retention. For the metals Pb, Cr and Cu, comparison of the 1970s and 1980s data suggests reductions in sediment burden reflective of reductions in sewage discharge of metals and limitations on the use of Pb in a gasoline.

Liou, S.H., Wu, T.N., Chiang, H.C., Yang, G.Y., Yang, T., Wu, Y.Q., Lai, J.S., Ho, S.T., Lee, C.C., Ko, Y.C., Ko, K.N. and Chang, P.Y. (1996), Blood lead levels in Taiwanese adults: Distribution and influencing factors. Science of the Total Environment, 180 (3), 211-219.

Full Text: S\Sci Tot Env180, 211.pdf

Abstract: Five-thousand nine-hundred thirteen Taiwanese adults were selected by multistage sampling methods to investigate environmental lead exposure in Taiwan. The blood specimens were distributed to six laboratories for blood lead levels (BLL) measurement. The mean BLL of the 5913 Taiwanese adults was 8.28±5.39 microg/dl, with a maximum level of 57.6 microg/dl. The median was 7.0 microg/dl and 90th percentile was 15.0 microg/dl. BLLs were associated with gender, ethnic group, education level, smoking, alcohol consumption, herbal drug consumption, milk consumption, sources of drinking water, level of urbanization, and occupational lead exposure. These results showed that BLLs in Taiwanese adults were stable during the 2-year study. Most of the influencing factors were consistent with other studies, while local risk factors, such as Chinese herbal drug consumption are important ways of preventing the general population from overexposure to lead.

Ohe, T. (1996), Antigenotoxic activities of chitin and chitosan as assayed by sister chromatid exchange. Science of the Total Environment, 181 (1), 1-5.

Full Text: S\Sci Tot Env181, 1.pdf

Abstract: The antigenotoxic activities of chitin and chitosan were studied using sister chromatid exchange assay by examining the adsorption of four kinds of mutagens. These two dietary animal fibers showed similar patterns in reducing the genotoxicity of aqueous solutions of the hydrophobic mutagens, 4-nitroquinoline-N-oxide and dinitropyrene, in distilled water. Under similar conditions, the antigenotoxic activities of chitin and chitosan for mitomycin C were 87 and 0%, and those for adriamycin were 47 and 78%, respectively. In addition, the antigenotoxic activity of both fibers for MMC was affected by the pH value of the aqueous solution between 2.5 and 7.2, but that of ADM was not. The results demonstrate that chitin and chitosan may have protective effects against environmental mutagens by adsorbing them in ionic and nonionic solutions.

Keywords: Chitin, Chitosan, Antigenotoxic Activity, Sister Chromatid Exchange Assay, Hydrophilic Mutagen, Hydrophobic Mutagen, Dietary Fiber, Hydrophobic Mutagen, Invitro Binding, Adsorption, Cancer, Water

Butler, C.A. and Timperley, M.H. (1996), Fertilised farmland as a source of cadmium in oysters. Science of the Total Environment, 181 (1), 31-44.

Full Text: S\Sci Tot Env181, 31.pdf

Abstract: Cadmium, added as a contaminant in phosphatic fertilisers to pasture soils of the Mahurangi catchment is mobile through both leaching from the acidic soils and erosion. The high cadmium concentrations on the smallest particles in both soils and freshwater sediments enhances particulate cadmium transport by erosion and fluvial action into the downstream estuary. In the saline conditions of the estuary, cadmium is desorbed from the suspended particles and bed sediments in the lower part of the estuary have low cadmium concentrations. The lowest cadmium concentrations in oysters are found in the riverine section of the estuary where cadmium uptake appears to occur by ingestion of the particulate matter carried into the estuary by the inflowing tributaries. In the lower, permanently saline part of the estuary, where oyster cadmium concentrations are the highest, phytoplankton appear to accumulate dissolved cadmium. The high concentrations of cadmium in oysters result from the selective ingestion of these cadmium-rich phytoplankton.

Keywords: Cadmium, Fertiliser, Farmland, Estuary, Oyster, Crassostrea-Gigas, Adsorption, Soils, Superphosphate, Accumulation, Copper, Plants, Water, Cd, Pb

Bu-Olayan, A.H., Al-Yakoob, S.N. and Alhazeem, S. (1996), Lead in drinking water from water coolers and in fingernails from subjects in Kuwait City, Kuwait. Science of the Total Environment, 181 (3), 209-214.

Full Text: S\Sci Tot Env181, 209.pdf

Abstract: In response to concerns raised by the Kuwait Ministry of Public Health (KMPH) about the high lead levels in some commercial water coolers, samples of drinking water and fingernails were collected from 129 healthy donors (77 males and 52 females) during the period December 1994-February 1995. The mean nail lead levels for females and males were 5.50±7.76 and 5.08±14.65 microg/g, respectively, and the difference between these means was not significant (P = 0.025). A positive correlation was found between lead levels in drinking water and lead in fingernails from both males and females. However, the effect of water lead levels on lead levels in fingernails of females was more significant (P = 0.002) than that on levels in fingernails of males (P = 0.21). Contrasted with all other coolers, water from one brand of coolers, Al-Hassawi, appears to contribute significantly to lead exposures among households with lead levels ranging between 15.89 and 70.30 microg/l and mean of 32.09±13.23 microg/l.

Al-Saleh, I.A. (1996), Trace elements in drinking water coolers collected from primary schools, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Science of the Total Environment,